The verse in Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” This verse encourages believers to be hospitable and welcoming to strangers, because by doing so, some have had the privilege of entertaining angels without even realizing it.
In the time when Hebrews was written, hospitality was incredibly important. Inns were often dirty and dangerous, so travelers relied on the hospitality of people in each town they entered. When a stranger came to town, the locals were expected to take them in, feed them, and give them a place to sleep. This verse reminds readers that when they show hospitality to a stranger, they may actually be showing hospitality to an angel in disguise.
Angels are spiritual beings created by God who sometimes interact with people on earth. The Bible contains many examples of angels appearing on earth in human form. In Genesis 18, Abraham welcomed three men who turned out to be angels. In Judges 13, an angel appeared to Manoah and his wife. In all of these cases, the people showed hospitality to people who turned out to be angels. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us that this is still possible today.
Of course, the verse is not saying that every stranger we meet is literally an angel in disguise. But it uses the idea of showing kindness to angels to teach an important lesson – we should welcome strangers and treat them with love, because we never know who God may send our way. Every person deserves dignity and care, no matter their circumstances.
Here are a few key reasons this verse encourages us to show hospitality to strangers:
- Strangers deserve love. God values all people, and He calls us to love everyone, even strangers.
- We can serve God by serving others. When we welcome strangers, we are welcoming those whom God sends to us.
- We might get to meet angels! God does send angels to earth occasionally, so we may encounter an angel by welcoming a stranger.
- We may entertain fellow believers. Christians are often called “ambassadors of angels” in the Bible. So the stranger may be a fellow brother or sister in Christ.
- We set a godly example. Our love and generosity can inspire others to also show hospitality to all people.
Overall, this verse teaches that hospitality should be a mark of the Christian life. Here are some ways we can apply its message:
- Be welcoming. Look for opportunities to welcome new people into your life, church, and community.
- Show generosity. Share meals, give gifts, and find ways to bless and care for strangers who cross your path.
- See people through God’s eyes. Remember that all people have immeasurable worth in God’s eyes.
- Step out in faith. Move past discomfort or fear and engage with those who are different from you.
- Use your home and resources to bless others. Don’t horde God’s blessings, but use them to serve and welcome others.
The book of Hebrews was written to encourage Christians facing persecution to stand strong. This verse urged them to show sacrificial love even to strangers, since that is what Jesus did for us. When we welcome the stranger, we honor Christ and participate in His mission to redemption the world through radical hospitality.
In our world today, this call still rings true. As believers, we are called to embrace the stranger just as Jesus embraced us when were estranged from God. We all can find opportunities to reflect God’s heart of compassion to the unknown people we encounter in our daily lives.
Imagine the impact Christians could have if every church and individual made welcoming strangers a regular habit! We would imitate Christ’s perfect love in new and powerful ways. Though we may not literally entertain angelic beings, we would entertain true ambassadors of God’s kingdom every time we extend hospitality, value, and care to others in Jesus’ name.
In 9000 words, summarize what Hebrews 13:2 means when it says we should entertain strangers because we may be entertaining angels unaware.
Hebrews 13:2 encourages believers in Jesus Christ to show hospitality and welcome strangers into their lives and homes. This verse warns readers that when they extend hospitality to a stranger, they may actually be extending hospitality to an angel in disguise without even realizing it.
In the ancient world, hospitality was an incredibly important virtue. Inns were rare, dangerous, and unclean. Travelers relied on the generosity of strangers for food, lodging, and protection as they journeyed from place to place. Hebrews 13:2 reminds first century readers that welcoming strangers was central to living out the gospel.
The author of Hebrews likely drew inspiration from Genesis 18-19, where Abraham and Lot welcome angelic visitors into their tents. They showed hospitality to these strangers, not realizing at first that they were actually heavenly beings. Their generosity was rewarded with blessings. The story illustrates how showing hospitality, even to strangers, can bless others and honor God. The writer of Hebrews wanted his audience to emulate Abraham and Lot’s example.
Of course, this verse is not claiming that every single stranger we meet is literally an angel in disguise. But it uses the imagery of hosting angels to make a broader point – when we welcome strangers with generosity and compassion, we honor God by mirroring His own open-handed kindness toward us. Every person bears God’s image and deserves to be treated with dignity. Plus, we never know when God may genuinely send someone unexpected across our path, giving us the privilege of entertaining angels unaware.
Here are some reasons the verse encourages extending hospitality to strangers:
- All people have value to God. Even strangers deserve to be treated with honor and respect as image-bearers of God. Welcoming them reflects God’s compassion for all people, regardless of race, class, or social standing.
- Serving others is a way to serve God. When we extend generosity to a stranger, we may be welcoming a person that God has intentionally placed in our path at that specific time and place. Their arrival is not accidental from God’s perspective.
- We might get to actually meet angels. The Bible contains several examples of angels appearing as humans and interacting with people here on earth. Entertaining a stranger could mean encountering an angel unknowingly.
- Strangers may be fellow believers. Christians are described as “ambassadors of angels” in the New Testament. The stranger we welcome may be a sister or brother in Christ.
- It sets a godly example. Radical hospitality and generosity point people to the self-giving nature of God. Welcoming strangers inspires others to live compassionately as well.
Hebrews 13:2 has powerful implications for how Christians should seek to live out their faith today:
- Look for opportunities to welcome new people into your church, neighborhood, workplace, or home. Keep an eye out for strangers and make an effort to invite them in.
- When you encounter a stranger in need, make their comfort and care a priority. Give generously of your time and resources.
- Treat all people with dignity, value, and respect, just as you would treat Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:40).
- Be courageous enough to reach out to people who are different than you and your typical friends and associates.
- Use your home as a place where lost, lonely, or spiritually hungry people can find rest, community, and care.
- Seek to emulate Jesus, who consistently welcomed and ate with societal outsiders like tax collectors and sinners.
The original audience of this epistle faced exclusion and persecution for their faith. They needed courage to stand firm. Hebrews 13:2 urged them to embrace outsiders and the marginalized just as Jesus had embraced them when they were estranged from God. It reminded them to show Christ’s kind of sacrificial love even to strangers, since one never knows who God may send across their path.
Two thousand years later, the global Church can still gain wisdom from this charge. In an increasingly polarized culture, Christians have opportunities every day to build bridges and reflect Christ’s servant heart by how they welcome and treat newcomers. When believers offer radical hospitality to the unknown people they encounter, they participate in Kingdom work, following biblical examples of welcoming strangers. While we may not literally entertain angels, we potentially entertain fresh encounters with the living God when we honor and serve “the least of these” in society (Matthew 25:45).
As Hebrews 13:2 reminds us, we should make welcoming strangers a regular habit and way of life. When we embrace those outside our normal circles, we open the door for the Spirit to work in their lives and hearts. We also open ourselves up to be transformed into more generous, other-oriented ambassadors of heaven. There is a blessing that comes from welcoming strangers without judgment or hesitation. Though we may never know the results, God uses our small acts of hospitality to further His work on earth in ways we cannot imagine. May we faithfully steward the encounters He sends our way!